The photos for the newsletter are available by following this link.
Bill Balkwill and Jack Balkwill and the Canada South Land Trust have been working together in partner- ship for three years to complete the necessary Conserva- tion Agreement document along with the accompanying Baseline Documentation Report. Finally, in late March 2007, the Conservation Agreement and the Baseline Documentation Report were proof read for a final time. The signing process began with Bill Balkwill and Jack Balkwill signing each document, then Canada South Land Trust principals Tom Hurst and Betty Learmouth sign- ing the documents. On April 13, 2007, the Conservation Agreement was electronically registered on the Balkwill Lands title.
Tudge, Colin. The Tree: A Natural History of What Trees Are, How They Live, and Why They Matter. Oct. 2006. 464 p. illus. index. Crown, $27.95 (1-4000-5036-7)
Prior to the scheduled walk at the Balkwill Woods, an article about the Land Trust and the walk was carried by both The Essex Free Press and The Kingsville Reporter. A number of persons called to register, while a few others simply showed up on the day of the event.
The Balkwill Lands occupy a total area of 147.938 acres (56.65 hectares) on gently rolling lands in the southern portion of Essex County, Ontario. Natural Area includes a 45.645 Woodland, a 0.950 acre Old Logging Road and a 2.130 acre Pond and Prairie Grass restoration site for a total of 48.725 acres. The Agricultural Area with a total area of 91.261 acres buffer the Natural Areas from roads and development and may be continued as productive farmlands.
The Great Lakes Basin Women of Gaia are an international group of women from Ontario and Michigan who join together monthly to sing for our Earth. In 2003, together with women from Atlantic Canada and Atlantic New England, the Great Lakes Basin Women of Gaia recorded a double CD entitled O Beautiful Gaia: Love Songs to Earth. The proceeds from this venture were donated to education and advocacy to save and protect our lands and water.
Owner Bill Balkwill takes a daily walk in his woodland and frequently reports his sightings in conversations.
CSLT Director David Ainslie was honoured on January 18, 2007 at the Essex Region Conservation Authority's Annual General Meeting which featured the 2006 Conservation Awards. Congratulations, David. Your award is well deserved.
In December 2006 a generous donation was received from the Women of the Great Lakes Basin to be used toward the work of the Canada South Land Trust.
The Canada South Land Trust's fourth Annual General Meeting was held on March 1, 2007 at the Civic Centre. Fifteen persons attended the meeting despite stormy weather.
At the December 7, 2006 draw for the raffle items, the following persons were the recipients of the various prizes. Thank you to everyone for your support of this fundraiser.
Now that the Balkwill Conservation Agreement has been registered on title, planning for the long term monitoring of the Balkwill Lands is underway.